Manchester United defender Fabio da Silva is the latest casualty as David Moyes looks to trim his under-performing side - with Bundesliga strugglers Freiburg the benefactors.

According to the Daily Express, Fabio is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford having started just one game in all competitions this term.

Despite spending last season on loan with Queens Park Rangers, he has been unable to tempt a Premier League side into coming in for him and so is faced with a move abroad to improve his chances of first-team football.

United have already offloaded Anderson to Italian side Fiorentina while Wilfried Zaha is set to undergo a medical at Cardiff City.

It is believed discussions are now at an advanced stage with the former Everton manager willing to let the left-back leave as they have Alexander Buttner as cover for Patrice Evra.

With the World Cup looming on the horizon, it goes without saying that Fabio may need to get regular football under his belt in order to make it onto the plane to Brazil.

Meanwhile United were today preparing a helicopter landing area at Carrington as they prepared to welcome Juan Mata for a medical, ahead of his £37m move from Chelsea.